Healthy sweets

Chocolates and other confectioneries are not just for those with the sweet tooth but also for those who want to enjoy wholesome and pleasurable snacking.

Chocolate in various shapes and sizes — remains the top draw in the Internationale Suesswaren Messe (ISM) trade show. This is according to the report filed by the Biscuits Philippines Group, the country’s delegation to the four four-day event in Cologne, Germany.

ISM is an important international biscuits and confectionery affair held every other year. Its organizers noted that 1,675 suppliers from 70 countries attended the recent edition.

Monde Nissin’s Ferdie Chanpongco of the Biscuits Philippines Group observes that the confectionery sector in the show is largely represented by chocolate. "Interestingly, this Mexican discovery has transcended its sweet image," Chanpongco said "It is now being considered a health product as shown in the different, popular variants available in the market today."

Philippine participation in the ISM is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an agency of the DTI.

Trends seen in ISM assert the fact that chocolates are now perceived as more than just guilty pleasures. Chocolate and cacao-derived commodities that appealed to a huge number of visitors in ISM included:

· Wellness chocolates. Or those that strongly emphasize positive, healthfully filling goodness and anti-oxidant qualities. Some varieties has70-80 percent pure cocoa. Its contents are nourishing with huge amounts of flavonoid epicatechin and gallic acids that are scientifically identified to possess cardio protective properties. South America’s Maca (a medicinal plant found in the Andes)-enriched fine dark praline is rich with vitamins and minerals that help fuel brain function, nourish the body, and ease hormonal irregularities. Choc+ is another energy-giving chocolate: rich in vitamins and minerals and containing high concentration of probiotic cultures that also helps boost the body’s immune system.

· Flavored chocolates, like those enriched with bee pollen to help prevent fatigue and exhaustion; and peppermint-suffused dark chocolates said to be beneficial to the stomach and the intestines.

· Chic chocolates. A Belgian chocolatier is perfecting a line of fine praline using only premium chocolates, while his counterpart in Switzerland differentiates his creations by using bitter walnut filling laced with maple syrup. Down under, chocolates are enriched with Australian shiraz wine, making it a national specialty. Other emerging chocolate flavors include: raspberry-balsamic, tomato-salt, olive pieces in olive oil, rosemary,lavender, oregano, sage, and thyme.

Snacks are also going organic, as a growing number of the market segment are looking for healthier, more sustainable alternatives, Monde Nissin MY San’s Keng Sun Mar shares.

"Biscuits with reduced sugar, fat, or calorie contents are highly preferred over conventional cookies," says Keng. During his participation in the ISM, he noticed that one of the unique selling propositions that customers look for are those suited to their guiltless pleasure trips. "These may be low-fat snacks, but should still rank high in flavor, fiber and nutrition," he said.

Pure ingredients, natural flavors as well as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole grains remain staple ingredients in baked goods’ areas of innovation, according to an ISM post-activity report. Asian flavors are also getting more popular as noted from the increased number of low fat, Thai chili and tomato/basil- flavored rice cracker varieties available during the show.

Candies, chewing gums, and various sweets are going organic, too. Designed to supply energy, today’s generation of sweets are becoming sugar-free yet enriched with fiber, vitamins, and nutrients.

There are also tooth-friendly chews made from herbs and are touted to be sugar, fat, and allergen-free. Some promote artificial sweetener-free line, and are said to contain whitening properties.

Confectionery makers consider appeal factors such as fun and colorful in conceptualizing their sweets. Europe, for example, is marketing its Clapping Hands and Squeaky Head candies that football fans may use to make a lot of noise while eating, especially during football games. There are edible papers creating images or romantic tattoos on consumers’ tongues when eaten plus movie and TV tie-ups inspired fruit gums.